2015 APEC meetings in Iloilo may be cancelled

MANILA, Philippines - Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas expressed concern that the “smear campaign” against the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) might force the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to cancel its meetings there next year.

“Iloilo has been chosen to host the APEC ministerial meetings in 2015 because of the significant achievements our province has made for the past years with assistance from the national government,” he said.

“It is unfortunate, however, that these developments could anytime be reversed because of the malicious and baseless allegations regarding the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center,” he added.

Treñas, in a joint statement with Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog and Iloilo-second district Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta, appealed to the Binay camp “not to block the significant growth Iloilo is now experiencing because of the various development and infrastructure projects made possible under the term of President Aquino.”

“We are appealing to the opposition to spare Iloilo from all these political bickering. We have made enough progress in the past years due to the intervention of our Ilonggo leader, Senate President Franklin Drilon,” the three said.

“The completion of the Iloilo Convention Center will be the realization of our dream to recapture Iloilo’s premier position as the ‘Queen City of the South’,” they said.

They said the convention facility would contribute to the growth of tourism in the province.

Support for Drilon

A group of Ilonggo businessmen and community leaders has thrown their support behind Senate President Franklin Drilon and other government officials charged with plunder in connection with the alleged overpriced ICC.

“We find it preposterous that a plunder case should be filed against him relative to the ICC construction,” the group said, referring to Drilon, in a manifesto dated Nov. 5 and released to media yesterday.

A total of 81 businessmen and community leaders signed the manifesto.

The group condemned those “who are out to thwart progress in Iloilo by maligning these dedicated public servants who have only the best interests of the country and Iloilo at heart.”

Drilon, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Tourism Director Mark Lapid, DPWH Undersecretary and national bids and awards committee chairman Jaime Pacanan, DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo, DPWH regional director and BAC-Iloilo chairman Edilberto Tayao were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman over the ICC. – With Jennifer Rendon